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1. cris108

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   15 Sep 2020
   16 Sep 2020

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   Hello Everyone, 
   
   I'm new here, an on again off again smoker for the last 20 years, mostly off thank goodness. This time around I smoked a pack a day for 9 months. I quit smoking 2 1/2 weeks ago, and used the patch for 4 days but it made me sick so I went cold turkey almost 2 weeks ago. The past two weeks have been challenging to say the least. Not so much due to cravings, mostly due to quit/withdrawal symptoms. I smoked to ease anxiety so since I have quit my anxiety is through the roof, and to add to that I have also experienced heart palpitations, tightness in the chest, heartburn and all this is making my anxiety worse which in turn are making the symptoms worse. I just wanted to know if some of you experienced similar quit/withdrawal symptoms and if so when did they subside. Thanks so much
2. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   16 Sep 2020 in reply to cris108

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   Hi Cris 108
   
   All you fell is just part of the qui\t! As time goes by all those feelings will be less and less intensive, 
   I quit 5 years ago, and I have all kind of symptoms, stomach pain, mental madness for no reason and several body pain.
   Is just part of the quit, you will feel better and better, try to distract your self in those moments!
   All the best  
3. efreeman75

   

   296 posts
   Registered:
   02 Apr 2018
   16 Sep 2020

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   Hi cris108 - Welcome and Congratulations.
   
   Your question brings back some scary memories for me.  The first couple of weeks went by pretty smoothly for myself.  Then the anxiety set in.  Twice I laid in an ER bed, staring at the stained ceiling tiles, convinced I was starting a heart attack.  This is the power of nicotine.  This is the power of a chemical addiction.
   
   Stress tests, cardiograms, etc. all came back better than normal.  And Eureka - I realized it was a mind game and met the challenge head on.  I read up on CBT and practiced various forms of quassi-meditation until I regained control.  The physical addiction is the easy one to beat for many.  The true test is conquering the mental addiction.  I practiced "Box Breathing" to and from my office for quite some time.  Look it up.
   
   While our quit journeys are all unique, they are not all that indifferent.  We all come from the same place and want to head in the same direction.  And we all have it in us to succeed.
   
   Welcome - we're glad you're here!
   
4. cris108

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   15 Sep 2020
   17 Sep 2020 in reply to brieffree

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   Thank you so much I appreciate your response. 
5. cris108

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   15 Sep 2020
   17 Sep 2020 in reply to efreeman75

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   Thanks so much for your response. I'm glad to hear you feel better. Hearing about your experience has made me feel better. I too have been to the hospital thinking I was having a heart attack, and even though all test came back clear the anxiety is still a daily issue. Thanks again.
6. Val H

   

   164 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   19 Sep 2020

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   Hi Chris. I too suffer from anxiety and it was pretty bad early in the quitting process. What I did this time, rather than just suffering through it, was to research ways to deal with anxiety and tried those. Things like breathing exercises, meditation and exercise really helped. Take care of yourself in those moments and you will persevere. 
7. treepeo1

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   06 Feb 2020
   20 Sep 2020

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   Hi cris108,
   
   When I quit, the worst thing was the physical craving, because I smoked for over 43 years.  And I did wonder if quitting could lead to a heart attack, because the pain in my lungs was so bad.  But then I told myself that I had never heard of anyone having a heart attack due to quitting smoking.  And I realized that this addiction messes with you, both physically and mentally.  Smoking is one powerful addiction.
   
   What you are experiencing is not uncommon, and it WILL pass.  It might help you to read up on all of the benefits of quitting smoking.  It will be positive reinforcement.  And as it becomes easier for you to breathe without huffing and puffing, really think about that and appreciate it.  I still remember running up two flights of stairs to catch a streetcar.  I got a seat, and shortly thereafter, I realized that my heart was not pounding from the exertion like it always did, and that was because I had quit smoking a few weeks prior to that incident.  And it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Quitting was really the right thing to do.
   
   You are stronger than your addiction, cris108.  Believe in yourself.
8. stormytootsie2020

   

   4 posts
   Registered:
   24 Oct 2020
   25 Oct 2020

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   After reading this yes yesterday evening a I was having chest pains. Not bad but was just happening for about a couple hours. It was in the back of my mind am I gonna have a heart attack but I chose to ignore it. I was talking to someone outside and was here for about half hour and just talked and ignored the chest pain. As I ignored it and went about getting ready to go to bed I realized this morning that chest pain was gone. I think was just quitting smoking playing tricks on me but I didn't give in. I just chose to ignore it.
9. eli000

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   29 Oct 2020
   28 Oct 2020 in reply to cris108

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   Hello,
   
   I am sorry for your anxiety. Sadly, quitting is as bad as smoking.
   
   I’ve had troubles with anxiety for a long time, until I started meditating 20 minutes a day, everyday, in April. The anxiety and depression disappeared completely out of my life like magic. You should try. And if you drink, quit. Drinking makes anxiety 3 times worst. Good luck!

   Last modified on 28 Oct 2020 22:58 by eli000
10. sarah, quit coach

    

    222 posts
    Registered:
    28 Nov 2017
    29 Oct 2020

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    Hello cris108
    
    Firstly, congrats on your quit! The fact that you come back to quitting shows how important it is to you.
    
    Increased anxiety and mild depression can be common withdrawal symptoms. However, its always helpful to share with your health care professional(s) that you are quitting smoking. They may decide to monitor you and your quit, especially if you already have been diagnosed with an existing mental health condition. Please reach out to your doctor if you have any concerning symptoms.
    
    Hope you're doing well and congratulations on going smoke-free,
    
    Sarah